Microsoft seeks game-changing technology ideas by students for Imagine Cup Thailand 2015

Imagine Cup Thailand 2015
Imagine Cup Thailand 2015

December 03, 2014
Microsoft seeks game-changing technology ideas by students for Imagine Cup Thailand 2015
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BANGKOK,
December 03
,
2014
– The Microsoft Imagine Cup Thailand, the annual student technology competition, today announced a call for applications for the 2015 competition. Organized by Microsoft (Thailand) Limited, together with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Imagine Cup Thailand 2015 will include the global World Citizenship and Games competitions, as well as new challenges specially for students in Thailand: the Windows App Studio Junior Challenge and App for Office 365 Challenge.

To compete in the Microsoft Imagine Cup Thailand 2015, Thai students who are 16 years or older and are passionate about the development of software applications must submit their applications by January 23, 2015. Students interested in applying for the World Citizenship competition are strongly encouraged to participate in a workshop at Microsoft Thailand’s office on Saturday, January 10, 2015, from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. to find out more about the competition themes and the mentoring provided by USAID.

The Microsoft Imagine Cup is the world’s premier student technology competition, offering students a platform to showcase their skills, talent and innovative ideas in developing original software applications using Windows, Windows Phone or Microsoft Azure. Applications developed for the competition should have the potential to shift the technology industry, help overcome global challenges, or be turned into a successful business. The global competition spans a year and culminates in the World Finals, which will be held in Seattle in July 2015.

World Citizenship
Competition
,

in partnership with
USAID

The World Citizenship Competition, supported by USAID, targets students and aspiring app developers who believe that technology can make the world a better place. Interested applicants must aim to resolve a problem that poses global challenges through the use of an original software application. The 2015 themes include the following:

  • Clean & Renewable Energy

  • Forests and Sustainable Land Use

  • Food Security & Climate Change Adaptation

  • Biodiversity

  • Environmentally Responsible Development

  • Supporting Survivors of Trafficking in Persons

  • Aquaculture & Fisheries

  • Supporting Small & medium enterprises

Game
s

Competition

The Games Competition seeks applications from youths and students who not only have a passion for gaming, but also aspire to design and develop original games.

Windows
App Studio Junior C
hallenge

A new component to the Microsoft Imagine Cup Thailand 2015, the Windows App Studio Junior Challenge is unique to Thailand and open to high school students who are 17 years or younger. To cultivate a passion for innovation in youth through the use of easily accessible technology, the challenge requires participants to develop an original Windows application using the Windows App Studio tool.

App for Office 365 Challenge

Another new feature in the Microsoft Imagine Cup Thailand 2015 is the App for Office 365 Challenge. Available only in Thailand and open to Thai students who are 16 years or older, the App for Office 365 challenge requires participants to build a design plan that showcases an original software application that will enhance the already comprehensive Office 365 suite.

Haresh

Khoobchandani, Managing Director of Microsoft (Thailand) Limited, said, “The Imagine Cup represents a key initiative by Microsoft to use technology as an enabler for solutions that will spark change in the world. Here in Thailand, the Imagine Cup underpins our deep commitment to Make 70 Million Lives Better by investing in the future generation, providing them with global opportunities and transforming education with technology. With three global championship titles, Thailand is one of the most successful Imagine Cup countries worldwide. I am confident that Thai students will once again rise to the global stage of this competition and I look forward to the potential that we will uncover through this competition.”

“Improving how technology is used to address urgent development challenges is a high priority for USAID, and we believe that youth can be important partners in this endeavor,” said Michael Yates, Director of the USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia. “We are pleased to have this opportunity to mentor student Imagine Cup competitors on some of Thailand’s most pressing development challenges, and look forward to seeing how they come to these issues with fresh eyes and creative ideas and learn from them. We hope this will inspire many to continue to apply science and technology to address some of the world’s most intractable problems.”

Prizes for Microsoft Imagine Cup Thailand 2015

The Microsoft Imagine Cup Thailand 2015 winning teams will receive the royal trophy from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, a cash prize of 100,000 Baht and a chance to compete to win a trip to participate in the World Finals in July 2015. Additionally, the top World Citizenship team addressing one of the USAID themes will receive prizes sponsored by USAID, including a cash prize of 100,000 Baht and a short promotional video advertising their winning software product.

Winning teams of the Windows App Studio Junior Challenge and App for Office 365 Challenge will receive a cash prize of 50,000 Baht each. In addition, members of the winning teams will also receive a Microsoft Lumia phone each.

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latest news
on
Microsoft Imagine Cup
Thailand
2015

For the latest news and updates about Microsoft Imagine Cup Thailand 2015, please sign up for the Imagine Cup 2015 newsletter at www.imaginecup.com and follow the Imagine Cup Thailand competition at www.facebook.com/icthai.

[ENDS]


For further information, (press


only


) please contact:


Pornravee Suramool or Apin Sicoravit

Hill+Knowlton Strategies Thailand

Tel: 0-2627-3501 ext. 110, 118 or 081-735-9213, 081-648-8430

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]